An icon of Dutch football joined Arne Slot's coaching staff at Liverpool last summer after learning his trade from a legendary former Rangers boss
Former Rangers manager and Liverpool coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been discussing the influence fellow Dutchman and ex-Ibrox boss Dick Advocaat has had on his career, both as a player and more recently as a coach.
Two iconic figures in Dutch football history, Advocaat brought the former full-back to Glasgow from Feyenoord back in 1998 before embarking on a trophy-laden spell together over the ensuing three years which comprised leading the Light blues to consecutive title and Scottish Cup triumphs, as well as a League Cup success.
Van Bronckhorst went on to win further major honours with Arsenal and Barcelona before bringing the curtain down on his playing days at boyhood club Feyenoord in 2010. He would become their head coach five years later, with Advocaat assisting him in an advisory capacity at the time.
Van Bronckhorst guided the club to the Eredivisie title in 2017 and would later follow in Advocaat’s footsteps when he was named Gers manager back in November 2021 following a brief spell out in China with Guangzhou City.
His appointment came in the wake off Steven Gerrard’s departure for Aston Villa. However, despite lifting the Scottish Cup again and leading the Govan giants to the 2022 Europa League final in Seville, the 51-year-old was sacked less than 12 months later.
Since then, he endured an unsuccessful stint at Turkish heavyweights Besiktas before returning to the UK last summer as part of compatriot Arne Slot’s coaching staff at Liverpool, where he currently serves as assistant manager.
Van Bronckhorst addresses prospect of managerial return
And while he insists he is enjoying his time at Anfield, the Premier League and Champions League winner refused to rule out making a return to management in the near future.
In an interview with 1908.nl, Van Bronckhorst was asked about the guidance he received from Advocaat at Feyenoord. “That was very positive,” he replied. “Dick has been an important person in my football career in any case.
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“So for me, it was very nice and comforting that he was with us during a difficult period. We all know that period, and it wasn't always easy, but ultimately it turned out very positively, with a lot of success.”
Discussing a potential return to the dugout at Feyenoord's De Kuip in the near future, he declared: “I am having a great time at Liverpool. It is a fantastic club. We’ll see what the future brings.
“Feyenoord will always remain special and connected to me, but right now I am just enjoying what I do in England, and for the Foundation, and that is very diverse. Who knows what the future holds.”
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